Malta BNI joins International Networking Week on Friday

Malta BNI is joining International Networking Week which is being held from Monday to Friday around the world by holding an event at The Meridien Resort and Spa, St Julian’s on Friday.

Internationally, the week is a valuable opportunity for business people across the globe to grow their business through the development of powerful new connections. It is being held in Malta for the second consecutive year.

As the largest business networking organisation in the world, BNI offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and, most importantly, business referrals.

BNI chapters, of which there are three in Malta with a fourth planned in February, comprise members who build long-term relationships and are committed to helping one another find more business through networking and word of mouth referrals.

“International Networking Week is an initiative of BNI and its focus is to celebrate the key role that networking plays in the development and success of business around the world,” Sliema-based Verdala Chapter president Steve Micallef explains.

“As BNI founder Ivan Misner says, it’s about creating an awareness of the process of networking. Not just any kind of networking, but ‘relationship networking’– an approach to doing business based on building long-term, successful relationships with people through the networking process.”

Figures just released for 2012 show that, in Malta, where BNI is still in its early stages, members have passed business referrals generating over €750,000 worth of business for members in 18 months.

Across the globe, BNI members have passed 7.1 million business referrals generating over $3.3 billion worth of business for the members. Since 1985, BNI has generated over $27.7 billion in business for BNI members.

Nicolette Micallef, president of the Attard-based de Paule chapter, said the weekly business meetings held at Malta’s three chapters in Sliema on Tuesdays, Attard on Wednesdays, and Valletta on Thursdays are no different from the other weekly meetings held at BNI’s 6,200 chapters across the world.

“In essence, ‘our business is to help your business do business’,” Ivan Azzopardi president of La Vallette chapter added.

“We invite business people to come to learn how they can generate more business through this structure we call the business referral organisation.”

Friday’s meeting runs from 7.15 to 9.15am. Visitors will learn more about the structure and the successes which BNI members are enjoying across the world and in Malta.

They will learn how members are profiting from the camaraderie and the personal development.

BNI ambassador Jankarl Farrugia is currently mentoring a team for the new De Redin chapter which will meet on Fridays at 7am at the Radisson Blu in St Julian’s.

Information about BNI and International Networking Week are obtainable from Mr Farrugia at jankarl.farrugia@regus.com or on 2546 6601, or Carmel Bonello at carmel.bonello@bpc.com.mt. Alternatively, visit www.internationalnetworkingweek.com.